A truncated form of the hiv p17 protein

Abstract

The invention relates to a truncated form of the HIV-1 p17 protein, designated as AT96, which consists of the residues from 1 to 96 of the full-length p17 protein, as well as the corresponding nucleic acid sequences. The truncated AT96 protein has the same immunological features as the full-length p17 protein but at the same time is devoid of the typical detrimental biological activities of the HIV-1 p17 protein.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A truncated protein comprising residues 1 to 96 of a HIV-1 full-length p17 protein, the HIV-1 full-length p17 protein capable of binding a p17 receptor, the HIV-1 full-length p17 protein capable of inhibiting a cell kinase phosphorylation activity with a p17 cell kinase phosphorylation inhibition activity,
 wherein
 the truncated protein is capable of being recognized by an anti-p17 antibody, the anti-p17 antibody capable of binding the truncated protein with a truncated protein binding affinity, the anti-p17 antibody capable of binding the HIV-1 full-length p17 protein with a p17 protein binding affinity, the truncated protein binding affinity substantially same of the p17 protein binding affinity, the anti-p17 antibody capable of inhibiting a p17/p17 receptor interaction; 
 the truncated protein is capable of binding the p17 receptor; 
 the truncated protein is capable of evoking an anti-p17 humoral immune response, the anti-p17 humoral immune response capable of neutralizing the p17/p17 receptor interaction; 
 the truncated protein is capable of evoking a cell-mediated immune response in a subject to whom it is administered; 
   and wherein
 the truncated protein substantially lacks the p17 cell kinase phosphorylation inhibition activity. 
   
     
     
         12 . The truncated protein according to  claim 11 , wherein the P17 cell kinase phosphorylation inhibition activity is tested by assessing phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 and pAKT in Raji cells. 
     
     
         13 . The truncated protein according to  claim 11 , wherein the truncated protein has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         14 . A medicament comprising the truncated protein according to  claim 11 . 
     
     
         15 . The medicament of  claim 14 , wherein the medicament is capable of evoking an immune response that neutralizes a biological activity of the HIV p17 protein. 
     
     
         16 . The medicament according to  claim 15 , wherein the medicament is suitable for treatment or prevention of a HIV infection. 
     
     
         17 . A nucleic acid encoding the truncated protein according to  claim 11 . 
     
     
         18 . The nucleic acid according to  claim 17  having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         19 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of the truncated protein according to  claim 11 . 
     
     
         20 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein the composition is an immunogenic or vaccine composition. 
     
     
         21 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein the truncated protein has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         22 . A method to treat HIV in a subject, the method comprising
 administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the truncated protein of  claim 11 .   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the truncated protein has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.